CHICAGO — “This place has changed my life, so I’m gonna have special memories of this place forever,” stated Shane van Gisbergen, the inaugural winner of the Chicago Street Race in 2023. His remarkable victory not only marked a significant milestone in his career but also paved the way for his entry into NASCAR’s national series scene. Just a year later, van Gisbergen showcased his talent by winning three races as a rookie in the Xfinity Series, leading to his promotion to the Cup Series this season.
Now competing at the pinnacle of the sport and with a playoff spot secured, the New Zealander is back in the Windy City, eager to improve on last year’s performance. During his previous outing on the 2.2-mile street circuit, van Gisbergen faced an early exit due to a crash in Stage 2. This year, he is focused on redeeming himself and demonstrating his skills on this challenging track.
Stephen Doran, van Gisbergen’s crew chief for the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, emphasized the team’s strategic planning for the season. “We have them all circled going into the year,” Doran remarked, especially after van Gisbergen's dominant performance in Mexico City. He added, “I don’t think we approach road courses any different than we do ovals. It’s max effort on every car, and with his skill set, if we just put him in position, he’s going to take care of business at these types of places.”
What sets van Gisbergen apart in both left and right turns is his extensive experience and street smarts. Coming from a successful background in Australian Supercars, he has raced on numerous traditional road courses and street circuits. He finds similarities between Chicago’s layout and tracks in Australia, mentioning, “It’s a bit like Gold Coast in some way, with the 90-degree corners, and sections similar to Adelaide. But yeah, it’s different in its own way.”
Despite the familiarities, van Gisbergen acknowledges the unique challenges posed by the Chicago circuit. “The hardest part here is the no runoff, particularly at Turn 1 and Turn 5,” he explained. “Going straight into a wall at the biggest braking zones is pretty daunting. Normally, you have runoff in tricky corners, so that’s probably the hardest part about this place.”
As the third annual Grant Park 165 approaches, scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. ET (broadcast on TNT Sports, truTV, HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), van Gisbergen returns not only as the site of his debut win but also as a key competitor. The Cup Series field has significantly improved its road-racing skills over the past year; however, in the garage and on pit road, he remains the benchmark against whom others are measured.
“This place is pretty cool to me. Every time I come back, I hate cities,” van Gisbergen joked. “But when you get here, it’s pretty cool. You know, I got great memories here.” As he prepares for the race, fans and competitors alike are eager to see if van Gisbergen can once again showcase his talent and secure another memorable victory in the Chicago Street Race.
